EXECUTIVE REPORT
Premiership independent
Blackpool-based Smiths Equipment Hire continues to develop its regional presence in northwest England, with another new depot and further expansion plans. Alan Guthrie reports from Manchester.
When EHN last visited Smiths Equipment Hire for our May 2008 issue, after the company had won our Passionate Independent Hirer Award for that year, one of the comments both Directors David and Thomas Smith made, was that “Location and good managers are the two key ingredients that our industry must have.” That view was evidently in their minds when they decided to open their latest depot in Manchester. This opening maintains Smiths’ policy of natural expansion and supporting clients whose work takes them farther afield and who want to continue dealing with the hirer they trust.
The premises cover 8,000ft2 plus an extensive yard. Depot Manager
is newly appointed Tony Grimshaw, who coincidentally spent 19 years with A-Plant in various operational and marketing roles, and was Procurement Manager when made redundant in May 2009. His industry experience is seen as invaluable for the new depot, which is the farthest yet from Smiths’ Blackpool headquarters. “I originally joined A-Plant, from Hewden, to manage its branch in nearby Salford, so in a sense things have gone full circle,” said Tony. “The depot was opened in June and in July we did £47,000 of business, a figure that has increased steadily as people get to know of us.We have eight staff and there is a genuine sense of teamwork amongst us.
“Approximately 95% of our business comes from Manchester itself and there is a great deal of work being done at sites like the university, the tram network, sports stadiums and the development of areas outside the city centre. However, from this location we are also able to service customers as far east as Huddersfield.”
The Manchester depot has a prime main road location.
This is Smiths’ tenth depot if you count three in Blackpool (the head office, a dedicated plant depot facility and extensive workshops), plus Blackburn, Bolton, Cleveleys, Kirkham, Preston and St. Annes. You certainly cannot miss the dominating frontage of the new branch in Openshaw, two miles from Manchester city centre. Located on the main A635 road, it benefits from considerable passing trade and offers extensive parking.
High service levels
“When we opened our Bolton branch in 2007, it also enabled us to supply equipment more easily to Manchester,” said David Smith. “However, increasing levels of business meant we were at risk of spreading resources too thinly and compromising the high service levels on which the business is built.We began looking actively for premises a year ago and heard about this site, which was an A-Plant outlet until it was closed 18 months ago. Given its size, space and roadside location, we were amazed it was still available.”
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Thomas Smith estimates that £250,000 has already been spent on new equipment for the depot, which offers the company’s full range of tools, compact plant and access platforms. An additional £150,000 has been spent on new vehicles. “We have continued to buy carefully for the fleet throughout our branch network, such as more Alto towers, and we recently ordered two 21m Niftylift access platforms with the manufacturer’s new SiOPS (Sustained Involuntary Operation Prevention System), designed to give users added protection from being trapped
against surrounding objects. In all, we now have more than 150 platforms in the access fleet.”
Thomas (left) and David Smith continue to look ahead positively and with enthusiasm.
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